HC seeks blueprint on construction of new court buildings

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has asked Maharashtra government to come up with a comprehensive plan for construction of new court buildings in districts across the state and expeditiously complete under-construction court buildings.

A division bench of justices N H Patil and V L Achliya also sought to know from the government that out of the total maintenance and repairs grant sanctioned to the Public Works Department, how much was spent in each judicial district for repairs and maintenance of court buildings and residential quarters in the last five years.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation by Sandeep Patil on the issue of construction and maintenance of court buildings in districts across the state.

“We need information on the number of proposals pending with the state for administrative approval for court buildings and residential quarters for judicial officers and the number of proposals approved and budgeted in the current financial year. The government shall also specify the estimated time by which construction work of court buildings will be completed,” the bench directed.

The state government will also have to provide details about recruitment of employees for carrying out maintenance and cleaning of court buildings in the state.

The bench has also sought response from the government on reasons for delay in disbursement of Rs 50 lakh required for construction of court building in Kalyan.

The court has posted the petition for hearing on April 20 and has directed a senior officer from the state Law and Judiciary department to remain present on that day to assist the court.